Tile Roofs from West American Roofing
There are 2 types of tile roofs – clay and concrete. Tile roofs endure some of nature's toughest elements, yet despite the harshness of weather, concrete and clay can withstand wind, hail, rain, earthquakes and even fires. This resilience enables manufacturers to offer some of the longest warranties in the roofing industry.
The color palette for concrete and clay roof tile includes hundreds of selections with options ranging from a single-color tile to a matrix of up to five colors. Styles range from flat to barrel-shaped tile, and either will change the appearance of a roof dramatically. There is also a wide selection of carefully blended hues that range from subtle tints to vibrant colors, and wood and slate textures that simulate nature. It is no wonder that for quality roofs of unsurpassed beauty, versatility and safety, nothing compares to tile. In addition to tile's unique beauty, most concrete and clay tile manufacturers typically offer a minimum 50-year limited warranty on their products. For consumers, this warranty covers their roofing material for as long as they own their homes. Both concrete and clay tiles are made from naturally occurring materials that do not deplete precious natural resources making them environmentally friendly.
Clay Tiles
Most people are familiar with round, red clay tiles, often called Spanish, "S", Mission or Barrel tiles, that create rolling or rippled patterns on the roofs of many buildings in the Southern and Western United States . However, modern innovations have allowed manufacturers to develop new styles and colors for clay tile roofs that retain their original elegant, handmade appearance while expanding their architectural range to include contemporary, historic as well as Mediterranean designs. For instance, flat tiles, also known as shingle tiles, can overlap or interlock to form distinctive French or English style roofs. Some manufacturers also offer lightweight clay tiles suitable for re-roofing projects and special tile products for roofs with steep slopes. Although terra cotta red is clay's natural color, the ultimate color of a modern clay tile roof depends on several factors: the natural color of the underlying clay, temperature of the firing kiln, application of color blending techniques and the use of a glaze or finish.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles primarily consist of cement, sand, and pigments, and are available in an array of colors an styles, appropriate for any climate or architectural preference. Modern concrete tile designs can simulate the appearance of traditional clay tiles, wood shake, slate and stone. Manufacturers achieve these distinctive styles by altering various aspects of the tiles' structure and placement. For example, like clay, concrete tile surfaces can be textured or smooth, tile edges can be uniform or ragged, and architects may select tiles of all one color, blended colors, or combine two or more shades and place them in a uniform or random pattern.
Choosing a Tile Roof
When choosing tiles for your tile roof, you must consider such factors as climate, region, type of structure, desired aesthetics, new construction or re-roof to find the most appropriate type for your project. Protect your investment: a tile roof is only as good as its installation.
Look for a contractor with tile roof installation experience and with TRI. Evaluate lifecycle costs when selecting a roofing product. Typical manufacturer warranties for tile roofs are 50 years or more, and tile roofs are not susceptible to fire, pests, or hail.
The Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) works with state and local building code officials to develop installation techniques, codes, and standards for better roofing systems. The association represents manufacturers and their suppliers of clay and concrete tile roofing products made in the United States and Canada. TRI members produce nearly all the standard and lightweight clay and concrete tile manufactured in North America.